The effects of land use change on carbon content in the aerial biomass of an Abies religiosa (Kunth Schltdl. et Cham.) forest in central Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Aim of study.) Were analyzed patterns and dynamics of forest cover change and land use for the period 1995-2005, and estimated carbon content in biomass in a forest of fir (Abies religiosa).Area of study. Ejido El Conejo in the Cofre de Perote National Park, Veracruz, Mexico.Material and Methods. Spatial data (maps, orthophotographs) were used: (UTM); GRS 80 spheroid; zone 14, datum ITRF92; units: metres. Maps for 1995 and 2005 were constructed and compared. Carbon content in the aboveground biomass of fir (Abies religiosa) was estimated using an equation specific to species.Main results. After one decade, the forested area had increased slightly (0.25%). The main type of land cover change was from shrubland to forest (probability of change 0.41); the change from forestland to shrubland with trees was 0.05%, and from forest to agriculture was 0.02%. Data from 2008 confirmed that the A. religiosa forest located in the ejido is distributed in largely unconnected fragments, of which some have a high density of young trees. Estimated carbon content in the aboveground biomass (163.51 Mg ha-1) was higher than that estimated for other forests of the same species in Mexico.Research highlights. It is recommended that ecological corridors be established throughout the reforested area, in order to connect these fragments (and increase carbon sequestration) and favour faunal and floral conservation. Finally, recognition should be given to the high vulnerability of A. religiosa forests to climate change, given their high degree of fragmentation and critical altitudinal limit.Key words: Aboveground biomass; carbon storage; ecological corridors; fir forest.

Chemical composition of lignocellulosic biomass in the wood of Abies religiosa across an altitudinal gradient

“…The wood of Abies religiosa (Kuntch) Schldl. et Cham, also known as abeto (sacred fir) or oyamel, a conifer with wide distribution in Mexico and Guatemala, is very much appreciated due to its physical and mechanical properties [26,27]. These trees develop under the geographic, climatic and ecological conditions characteristic of mountainous areas, within an altitudinal gradient from 2400 to 3600 meters above sea level (masl), notably along the so-called Neovolcanic Transversal Axis [28].…”

ESTRUCTURA POBLACIONAL DE Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. et Cham., EN EL EJIDO EL CONEJO DEL PARQUE NACIONAL COFRE DE PEROTE, VERACRUZ, MÉXICO

“…y en la de menor altitud con P. montezumae Lamb (Pineda-López et al, 2012). El bosque se encuentra altamente fragmentado, inmerso en un paisaje en el que domina el cultivo de la papa y en menor proporción avena y cebada, aunque también hay fragmentos ocupados por otros cultivos asociados a diversas especies arbóreas, matorral de Bacharis conferta Kunth., matorral con árboles y otros fragmentos sin cobertura vegetal (Pineda-López et al, 2012).…”

“…Los rodales de bosque identificados se localizan entre los 3,009 y 3,409 m, preferentemente, en pendientes mayores de 20° con exposición noreste (Cuadro 1). dominated by potato crops and to a lesser extent oats and barley, although there are also fragments used with other crops associated with various species of trees, scrub of Bacharis conferta Kunth., scrub with trees and other fragments without vegetation cover (Pineda-López et al, 2012). The identified forest stands are located between 3,009 and 3,409 m, preferably on slopes greater than 20° with northeastern exposure (Table 1).…”

Caracterización morfológica y genética de las poblaciones de Abies en Hidalgo, México: importancia de la identidad taxonómica para el aprovechamiento forestal

“…En cuanto a las amenazas, se han mostrado diferentes situaciones de riesgo para los abetos mexicanos, incluyendo las actividades humanas relacionadas con la explotación maderera (Ramírez et al 2003), el cambio climático (Sáenz-Romero et al 2012), el cambio en el uso del suelo (Pineda-López et al 2013) y los incendios forestales (Cerano-Paredes et al 2021). En todos estos casos, las evaluaciones de riesgo se han centrado en A. religiosa dada su importancia económica y cobertura territorial, no obstante, bajo este nombre también se aprovechan poblaciones del resto de las especies de Abies, particularmente en la zona de estudio.…”